Kalmar has signed a deal to supply Générale de Manutention Portuaire (GMP) in Le Havre, France with 26 Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers. The order, which also includes MyKalmar INSIGHT performance management tool, was booked in Kalmar’s Q3 2024 order intake with the straddle carriers scheduled to be delivered during Q2 and Q3 2025.

GMP has been using Kalmar straddle carriers since the early 1990s and has now ordered a total of 54 hybrid units since 2020. Kalmar says that its hybrid straddle carriers can reduce a company’s fuel bills and emissions by up to 40% by using a regenerative power system coupled with a highly efficient diesel engine that uses less fuel.

“Kalmar and GMP Le Havre are united by a shared commitment to safe and sustainable cargo handling. Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers have proven an ideal fit for our operations as we continue to reduce our carbon footprint through investing in product designs which conserve energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” Louis Jonquière, CEO, GMP Le Havre, said.

“This major repeat order is a clear demonstration of the trust that GMP Le Havre has in our proven hybrid solutions. We are very happy to continue this long-standing relationship with a loyal customer that shares our firm commitment to building a more sustainable future for material handling,” Damien Cols, Director Global Customers, Kalmar, added.

GMP, which handles 2 million TEU annually, took delivery of 12 hybrid straddle carriers from Kalmar in August 2023, followed by four more units in November 2023. The company revealed at the time that it was negotiating an order for up to 30 additional units, in line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. A single hybrid straddle carrier from Kalmar costs approximately €1.2 million and has an operational lifespan of 7 to 10 years, according to GMP.

At the end of their operational lives, GMP straddle carriers undergo a local waste recovery process through Normandy-based partners. After dismantling, components like metals, oils, and electronic waste are recycled and sold to companies such as Beaudelet and Eco Huile. Special industrial waste is incinerated by Gardet et de Bezenac Environnement, generating steam that feeds into the urban heating network, supporting regional sustainability efforts.